Valve structure



5. J. SVENSON.

I April 27, 1954 VALVE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 16, 1940 April 27, 1954 Original Filed Sept; 16, 1940 E. J. SVENSON 2, 76,608

VALVE STRUCTURE Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY fiwzfaigllfl Patented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES 11" OFFICE VALVE STRUUEURE Ernest J. Svenson, Rockford, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Odin Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois (Cl. l37-343) 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to valve structures in mechanisms for fluid handling, and concerns particularly valves for use in pump structures for delivering fluid at relatively high pressure with volumetric accuracy.

The present invention is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 356,896, filed September, 16, 1940, now Patent No. 2,382,452, and entitled Fluid Pumping Mechanism; said application, and the present application, also being divisions of my parent application, Serial No. 684,677, filed August 11, 1933, and now issued as Patent No. 2,215,257.

In fluid handling mechanisms and apparatus, th provision of satisfactorily operable and leakproof control valves, for effecting the liquid or other fluid control, is a matter of major importance. For example, in pump structures, and particularly in pumps adapted for the delivery of fluid at high pressure, even a relatively small fluid slippage or leakage within the pump will result in greatly reduced efficiency of operation. One portion of the pump structure, wherein such fluid slippage or leakage may occur, concerns the control valves for controlling the fluid flow to from the pumping cylinders.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve structure or mechanism, of improved construction improved operating characteristics.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved control valve structure, for use in fluid handling and control apparatus, wherein the valve structure is more leakproof in operation and when in seated or closed position; wherein the valve structure may be rapidly and automatically shifted between open and accurately seated closed positions; and wherein the valve structure will be more durable and reliable in service, and Will not leak in operation even when subjected to extended periods of use under extreme service conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved valve structure, particularly adapted for use with pump mechanisms for delivering liquid other fluid at relatively high pressure and with a high degree of volumetric efficiency.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, particularly for use in a pump structure or the like, improved automatically operable ball check valves, for cooperation with the fluid pressure generating elements, such as pump plungers or the like; said valves also being mounted in a unit frame structure to facilitate assembly.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Figure l is a transverse sectional view of a variable delivery and relatively high pressure pumping mechanism, incorporating a valve structure constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention, said view being taken substatinally along the line l-i of Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of said pump taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure j Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the pump, shown partly in section, said view being taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure l is a fragmentary detail view of the eccentric driving mechanism for the pump structure shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, transverse, sectional view of the eccentric driving mechanism taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure i;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of one of the valve structures disclosing the manner in which said valve serves to control communication between the inlet side of the pump and the pump passageways communicating with the plungers or pistons;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the ball valve of Figure 6 to more clearly illustrate the structural features thereof which render it particularly adaptable for use in closed circuits and the like as illustrated more particularly in Figure 8; and

Figure 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating the manner in which the pumping mechanism may be employed in a closed circuit for operating a fluid actuator structure.

The present invention, and the claims herein presented, ar directed to the valve structures, their characteristics and modes of operation. Claims to the pumping elements, and to the circuit and other features of the structure illustrated, are presented in said aforementioned companion cases. The valve structures of the present invention are herein illustrated as embodied in a high pressure plunger pump, and associated fluid actuator circuit, with which they are well adapted for use, and by which their characteristics and modes of operation are shown. t is to be understood, however, that the valve structures of the present invention may be used with various types of liquid or other fluid handling or operating apparatus; including, for example, specifically different pump structures and other mechanisms for operation with or for the handling of fluid at relatively high pressures and with required volumetric accuracy.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the pump structure shown is designated generally by the numeral I6. This pumping mechanism, in the particular structural embodiment shown, includes a central housing I66, which carries a pump driving mechanism designated generally by the numeral [$8, an end plate I16, and an oppositely disposed pump housing I72 serving as an enclosure and support for the plunger and valve elements of the pump. Preloaded antifriction bearings I'I l provided within the housing I66 serve as the support for a rotary driving member or sleeve I76. Longitudinal displacement of the sleeve I'IEi to the right, Figure l, is prevented by a clamping ring We and an adjusti'rig hut or screw I80, while longitudinal displacement of the sleeve I16 to the left is prevented by a flange IBI which engages the right preloaded anti-friction bearing m. The sleeve II6 carries a driving gear E82 which is adapted to mesh with another gear (not shown) forming a part of a transmission from a suitable driving means (not shown). A driving member I88 mounted within and rotatably adjustable with respect to the driving sleeve IiS serves as the means for adjusting the eccentricity of a driving ring 90. This ring I99 forms the outer race of a radial ball bearing mounted upon an extended stub shaft portion I9I of a cylindrical adjustment member I92. as best seen in Figure l, the stub shaft portion I9! is eccentric to the cylin- 'drical adjusting member I92. The member I92 is supported within a cylindrical recess I93 oi the member I76 and is eccentric with respect to said member I'IEi. It will, therefore, be clear that theadjustm'ent mechanism is such that rotation of the member I92 within the recess $93 will vary the eccentricity of the stub shaft portion IdI with respect to the axis of the sleeve iii}. In other words, rotatable adjustment of the cylindrical member i952 causes the stub shaft portion 19'] to experience eccentric adjustment with respect to the axis of the sleeve I16 which thereby afiects the degree of eccentricity of the driving ring I90.

The member I88 has a head portion 188a which is eccentric to the axis of the member I83 and registers within a recess I920: in the member 292. A reduced portion which connects the member I88 with the head I880. passes through a transverse recess or slot I921). Thus when it is desired to vary the eccentricity of the driving ring 599, the nut I 80 is first loosened and then rotation is imparted to the member I88 by gripping the outer squared end thereof. Rotation of the member I88 causes rotation of the cylindrical menu ber I92 and this results in varying the eccentricity of the stub shaft portion lSI with respect to the axis of rotation of the sleeve I76 and the member I88. After the required degree of eccentric adjustment has been made, the nut I853 is again tightened. Rotation is imparted to the sleeve I 16 and the member I28 by the driving gear I82, and the ring I90 will execute an eccentrio motion to a degree which is dependent upon the amount of eccentric adjustment of the stub portion I9I as previously described.

A plurality of fingers 194 are uniformly spaced about the axis of the sleeve I16, and are pivotally supported within the end frame or casing I12 as clearly shown in Figure 2. The free extremities of these fingers are interposed between the driving ring I98 and companion pump pistons or plungers I86. The curvature of the fingers is such as to impart symmetrical acceleration and deceleration of the pistons I86. Fluid is directed toward and away from the outer ends of the pistons wt in companion passageways I98, Figures 1 and 3. Each of these passageways I98 cos municates with a pair of valves constructed in accordance with the present invention, namely an intake control valve designated generally by the numeral 290 and an outlet control valve 282.

Fluid is directed to the valves 2% from an intake conduit 2%, Figure 3, which constantly communicates through a transverse passage 286 with an annular passage or port 288. This annular passage 268 directs fluid to the intake valves 280 through a passage 2H! which is companioned to each valve.

Each of the aforesaid valves 2% includes a ball valve member 2 I2. I prefer to employ valve balls comprised of Swedish steel, which has been e..- pecially treated to obtain an unusually hard and tough structure. I have found what are well known in the trade as Hultgren Process Brinell balls, to perform very satisfactorily. Each of the balls 2 i2 is normally urged by means of a coiled spring 25 3, preferably tapered as illustrated in Figure 6, interposed between said ball and a threaded plug 2E6 into engagement with a valve seat 2I8. Referring to Figure '7, wherein I have disclosed an enlarged view of a ball and seat therefor, it will be seen that the seat 228 is shaped to conform accurately with a portion of the spherical surface of the valve ball. By having the spring 2 it tapered or converging toward the valve ball, as illustrated in Figure 6, the centering of the ball within its seat is materially enhanced.

Each ball valve 2 I2 is provided with an annular recess 213 designed to receive the adjacent portion of the coiled spring 2 I4, Figure 7. The porticn of the coiled spring 2 it which is received by the annular recess 2 I 3, is formed with converging walls which are adapted to abut the companion walls or surfaces of the recess. This arrangement positively prevents the ball from being dislodged and insures that when the valve is closed each portion of the ball always engages the same corresponding portion of the valve seat 2i Attention is also directed to the fact that the cross-sectional area of the annular sp ce 225 presented between the outer periphery of the ball H2 and the inner periphery of the valve chamber 222 is less than the cross-sectional area presented by the intake passageway 256. The significance of this construction will be more apparent when a hydraulic circuit for which the pump mechanism 16 is particularly adapted, is described.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that fluid from the conduit or pipe line 2% may pass through each valve 2% and into the passageway E93 companion thereto. The intake of the fluid occurs during the inward stroke of the associated piston or plunger E98. During the compression stroke of the lunger E96, fluid passes from each passageway I98 into a passageway Zita which communicates with a discharge valve Each valve 232 is similar in structural characteristics to the valves 29!) previously described. Each valve 262 includes a ball valve 212a, a

chamber 222a, and a threaded plug 2I6a. Fluid passing through the valves 202 enters a discharge conduit or pipe line 22%.

It will be noted that each spring 2I la for the discharge valve balls 2I2a is more powerful than the spring 25% for the intake valve balls 2I2, whereby to preclude the opening of the balls 2 Its when the pistons are being charged. In other words, each valve ball 2 I211 will only open when the piston companion thereto is experiencing its compression stroke, and said valve will not open during any other portion of the cycle under normal pressure conditions in the propelling side of the circuit connected. therewith.

The pum mechanism just described is designed to deliver fluid to any desired mechanism such as a hydraulic actuator at a predetermined rate. The rate of displacement of the pump can be varied, as previously explained, by merely adjusting the eccentricity of the driving ring I99, which adjustment afiects the stroke of the pistons or plungers I96.

For the purpose of explaining one practical application of the feed pump just described, I have illustrated a circuit diagram in Figure 8. This circuit is a portion of the circuit diagram disclosed in my aforesaid parent application with all parts omitted except those necessary to a clear understanding of the operation of the pump and its valve structures forming the subject matter of the present invention. Assume that one of the pistons I96 is experiencing its outward or compression stroke. Fluid under pressure is thereby forced from the space above the piston tilt through the associated passages I63 and fiiiia and past the discharge valve ball 2I2a into the outlet conduit 22 5, From the conduit 22d, the fluid is conducted into the conduit Silt which is blocked at one end by a control valve designated generally by the numeral 258. The details of the control valve 259 form no part of the present invention. Reference may be made, if desired, to my aforesaid parent application for a more complete description thereof.

A valve member 258 of the control valve mechanism 256 is so positioned as to block one extremity of the conduit 306. The other end of the conduit 3% may be connected through any suitable mechanism designated diagrammatically by a dot and dash line 306a with a conduit 32 8 which conducts fluid to the right chamber of a hydraulic cylinder IE6. This entrance of the fluid into the cylinder HM causes a piston It!) to move to the left and displace fluid from the lefthand chamber or the cylinder I04 into a conduit 35d and thence through a conduit 338 which communicates with conduit 204. From conduit 2% fluid passes into the inlet passage 286 of the pump and thence into the annular distributing passage 29!} as previously described. The passage 238 communicates with all of the inlet ball valves 2%. Fluid will not flow through any valve 2% with the associated piston moving outwardly because the fluid pressure in the associated passage I96 is greater than the pressure of the fluid which is being returned to the intake side of the pump. However, as the driving ring I98 moves so as to permit the inward movement of one or more of the plungers I96, the pressure in the passages I93 associated with such plungers will decrease, thereby permitting fluid to flow from the passage 208 through the companion valves 2% of the receding or inwardly moving plungers and will exert a driving force tending to move the plungers inwardly.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that when the pump 16 is connected in the above described closed circuit, fluid within the various conduits moves as a unit, one part being forced under pressure outwardly through the pump passages I93 and the ball valves 2G2 and thence to the actuator cylinder I04, and the other part moving from the discharge side of the actuator cylinder I04 into the intake side of the pump through the ball valves 209 and into the outer extremities of the complementary receding pump plungers.

The construction of the pump is is such as to preclude the necessity of the supercharging by reason of the absence of fluid slippage or leakage within the pump.

The ball valves 2% and 202 materially contribute to the eificient functioning of the pump it in circuits of the type shown in Figure 8. I have operated such pumps over an extended period of time and have found that the valve balls stand up under the severest operating conditions and that they are adapted for continuous use over an extended period of time without repair or replacement.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that by using the ball valve arrangement in a circuit of the type disclosed herein, the clashing of the balls as they seat themselves is positively pre eluded. This will be more readily appreciated by referring again to Figures 6 and '7, wherein I have shown hOW the balls 2I2 are seated by the action of the coiled spring 2 I4. Assume that the pump piston I35, which is companion to the ball valve shown in Figures 6 and '7, begins to experience an inward movement. This enables fluid from the annular port or passage 268 connected with the discharge side of the actuator cylinder 504 to be delivered to the ball 2I2. This will cause the ball to become unseated and permit fluid to enter the companion passage I98 at a speed which is determined by the speed with which the companion plunger HS moves inwardly. When the plunger reaches the limit of its intake stroke and is about to move in a reverse outward direction, the flow of fluid past the ball 2 l2 ceases and the pressure on the Opposite sides of the ball becomes substantially equal ized, th reby enabling the ball to gently seat itself at the instant the pump piston I9$ begins its compressive stroke. In other words, there is no clashing or violent seating of the ball 2I2 but, on the contrary, a very gentle seating thereof.

The round seat which corresponds to the spherical surface or" the ball also contributes toward the effective functioning of the valve. in this connection I again make reference to the fact that the cross-sectional area of the space 226 indicated in Figure 7, is less than the crosssectional area of the passageway are. Thus, a higher speed of fluid flow takes place through the space 2% than through the passageway 2 Id, this higher speed fluid flow aiding in holding the ball 2 I2 perfectly centered during the opening thereof. Therefore, as the ball gradually moves into juxtaposition with its seat 2I8, the speed of the fluid acting within the space 22!) serves to maintain the centered relationship of the ball with respect to its seat, and thereby precludes any engagement or clashing of the ball with the side Walls which surround it.

It will also be apparent that by employing the ball valve arrangement just described, fluid pressure acting on the balls cooperates to maintain the balls tightly sealed against their respective seats. This should be clearly distinguished from rotary types of valves and others wherein the pressure of the fluid acting upon thevalve does not function to urge the valve against its seat. The importance of the ball valve construction will be more readily apparent when it is understood that in a closed circuit arrangement employed for the purpose of accurately and uniformly propelling a machine tool, the slightest slippage of fluid past a valve in the pump during the compression stroke of the pump 'plungers will seriously aifect the uniformity of fluid flow. Also, such slippage tends to cause a decided increase in fluid te iiperature. In fact, one of the most serious problems with which hydraulic engineers have heretofore been confronted is that of temperature increase resulting from the slippage or leakage of fluid along the bearing surfaces of rotary valves.

In my above described pumping mechanism, and the valve arrangement provided, the fluid pressure developed during the compressing stroke of the pump plungers will act upon the intake ball valves so as to positively seal the balls against their respective seats. Each outlet valve 262 will not open until the fluid pressure in the passage its companion thereto is greater than the pressure in the conduit 22 3. Therefore, no back flow from the conduit 22 into the passage 98 can ever take place. This is an important advantage which the ball check type of pump presents over pumps in which the control of fluid depends solely upon mechanically actuated valve memhers. In instances where mechanically actuated valve members are employed, the timed functionof the valve is controlled mechanically and not in accordance with or in response to predetermined fluid pressure conditions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates a novel and p actical valve structure which is particularly deied for pumps adapted for accurate volumetric delivery of fluid at relatively high pressures, and vherein the volumetric delivery may at times be cry mall. Under such conditions the ball check valves disclosed herein function very efiiciently and in fact are superior to conventional rotary valves with which I am familiar.

I prefer to construct the housing material asso ciated with the valve balls of a uniform alloy steel treated so that it will wear in conformity with the surface of the ball, although not as hard as the ball. This enables balls to be used over an extended period. of time without requiring replacement. In fact, the longer the ball is used the more perfect becomes the seat in the material associated with the ball. The spherical seat against which the ball engages affords maximum contact area thus precluding excessive surface loading of the metal at any point. It will further be noted that the ball springs hold the balls in proper position, throughout the life of the structure, whereby to maintain the same complement-a1 relationship between the engaged surfaces of the balls and their seats. These surfaces may be originally lapped for proper fitting engagement, and the springs hold the balls so that engagement will always be between the complemcntal lapped surface.

All of the balls are mounted in a unit frame structure or block 295 to facilitate their assembly. It should be understood that care must be exercised in properly freezing or otherwise fitting this core or block member within the pump housing H2. There must be a very tight fit between these parts in Order to positively prevent fluid leakage along the peripheral surface of the block 205. The pivoted pump fingers function in cooperation with the ball check valves to increase the efilciency of operation thereof. Not only do these fingers insure symmetry in acceleration and deceleration of the pump plungers, but they also insure the proper dwell or period of inactiv ity at each end of the plunger stroke and this insure th pr pe p ing and closing of the ball check valves.

The invention is obviously not limited to the specific structural details disclosed herein, but is capable of other modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows;

1. A valve assembly comprising a generally cylindrical block member of integral construction, and a housing having a generally cylindrical recess into which the block member is fitted, a first set of fluid actuated shiftable valve mem bers disposed in circumferential relationship within said block, a set of passages formed in and extending along a chord of said cylindrical block member and communicating individually with valve members on one side thereof, said passages being adapted for connection with individual passages in said housing, a passageway in said block communicating in common t i set of valve members on the other side eof, a second set of fluid actuated shiftabie valve members disposed in circumferential relationship within said block, a set of passageways formed in the block and communicating ind;- vidually with said second set of valve members or. one side thereof, said last named set of passageways being adapted for connection with said individual passages in said housing, and a passageway encircling said block communicating in common with second set of valve members on the other side thereof.

2. A valve structure comprising a plurality of fluid conducting passages meeting at a juncture point, a valve seat formed at the juncture of said passages, a valve member disposed in one of said passages having a spherical portion arranged for engagement with said seat, said valve member having an annular shoulder formed thereon defining an annular positioning surface and an annular gripping surface relatively angularly disposed to said positioning surface, and a spring for holding and controlling the operation of said valve member, said spring having an annular end convolution determining a plane perpendicular to the of said gripping surface, said end convolution engaging said positioning surface and resiliently embracing said gripping surface to hold said valve member and control the cooperation of said valve member spherical portion with said valve seat.

3. A valve structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve member is ball shaped.

i. A valve structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said spring is convoluted throughout the major portion of its length, the annular end convolution engaging said positioning surface being of reduced diameter.

5. A valve structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the positioning and gripping surfaces defined by the annular shoulder of the valve mom er are flat and relatively right angularly disposed.

6. A valve structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the spring is convoluted along its length,

there being a plug member threaded into said valve structure having a smooth cylindrical projection resiliently gripped by the convolutions of the spring at the end thereof remote from said valve member.

7. A valve structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said spring is convoluted along its length, said spring annular end convolution lying in a plane transverse to the spring axis.

8. A valve structure comprising a plurality of fluid conducting passages meeting at a juncture point, said passages being axially aligned and of diiferent size, a valve seat formed at the juncture of said passages, a valve member disposed in the larger of said passages having a spherical portion arranged for engagement with said seat, said valve member having an annular shoulder formed thereon defining an annular positioning surface and an annular gripping surface relatively angularly disposed to said positioning surface, and a spring for holding and controlling the operation of said valve member, said spring having an annular end convolution determining a plane perpendicular to the axis of said gripping surface, said end convolution engaging said positioning surface and resiliently embracing said gripping surface to hold said valve member and control the cooperation of said valve member spherical portion with said valve seat, the cross-sectional area of the annular space between the valve member and the side walls of the larger passage within which the valve member is disposed being less than the cross sectional area 01 the smaller connected passage, whereby as fluid is projected through said passages through said smaller area acts in cooperation with the spring to engage the valve member in proper seating position.

9. A valve structure as defined in claim 8, wherein said spring is convoluted along the major portion of its length, said annular end convolution being smaller than the diameter of the valve member.

10. A valve structure as defined in claim 8,

wherein said valve member has its downstream K and upstream sections relatively symmetrically disposed.

11. A valve block as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said valve members comprises a ball valve, there being a spring engageable with each ball valve member to control the operation thereof, the springs engageable with said ball valve members in said first set of valve members being its flow of greater strength than the springs engageable with the ball valve members in said second set of valve members.

12. A valve block as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical block member is compressively gripped and thereby fixed into said cylindrical housing recess.

13. A valve structure comprising a block having a machined exterior surface adapted to have a tight fit with a complementary surface in a frame, a first passage extending from a block surface to the interior of said block, a second passage extending from a block surface to the interior of said block and connected to said first passage, one of said passages being of larger cross sectional area than the other, a valve seat formed at the juncture of said passages, and a ball valve member disposed in the larger of said passages and engaging said seat, said ball valve member restricting said larger passage to a useful flow area substantially smaller than that of the smaller of said two passages whereby the velocity of the fluid flow in the passage around the ball valve member is increased.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 152,844 Johnston July 7, 1874 260,030 Johnson June 27, 1882 613,623 Dolan Nov. 1, 1898 716,864 Casey Dec. 30, 1902 1,006,852 Kelsey Oct. 24, 1911 1,055,437 Aldridge Mar. 11, 1913 1,530,287 Axelson Mar. 17, 1925 1,617,503 Larkin Feb. 15, 1927 1,746,335 Boyce Feb. 11, 1930 1,843,063 Von Wagenheim Jan. 26, 1932 1,843,930 Patterson Feb. 9, 132 1,911,125 Miller May 23, 1933 1,920,123 Ernst July 25, 1933 1,924,423 Svenson Aug. 29, 1933 1,934,486 Carlson Nov. 7, 1933 1,989,117 Svenson San. 29, 1935 2,048,524 Svenson July 21, 1936 2,215,257 Svcnson Sept. 17, 1940 2,382,452 Svenson Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 19,931 Great Britain of 1996 

